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OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy over 3 years of the addition of metformin to maximum sulfonylurea therapy in type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This multicenter randomized open-controlled trial was conducted in outpatient diabetes clinics in 15 U.K. hospitals. A total of 591 subjects who had already been randomly allocated to sulfonylurea therapy were taking maximum doses with suboptimal glycemic control, i.e., raised fasting plasma glucose (FPG) concentrations of 6-15 mmol/l but no significant hyperglycemic symptoms. The main outcome measures included FPG, glycated hemoglobin, protocol-defined marked hyperglycemia, body weight, blood pressure, fasting plasma lipids, compliance, and hypoglycemia and other side effects. RESULTS: After the addition of metformin, FPG concentrations decreased by mean (95% CI) -0.47 (-0.82 to -0.13) mmol/l over 3 years compared with an increase of 0.44 (0.07-0.81) mmol/l in subjects on sulfonylurea alone (P < 0.00001). Median FPG concentrations at 3 years were 8.6 vs. 9.9 mmol/l, respectively (P < 0.00001), and HbA1c values were 7.5 and 8.1%, respectively (P = 0.006). Adjustment for baseline BMI or FPG concentration did not affect response to therapy. Only 7% of those allocated to sulfonylurea plus metformin developed protocol-defined marked hyperglycemia compared with 36% of those allocated to sulfonylurea alone (P < 0.0001). Fasting plasma lipids, body weight, and blood pressure did not change significantly. The incidence of hypoglycemic episodes did not differ between groups: 4% on sulfonylurea plus metformin and 2% on sulfonylurea alone (NS). CONCLUSIONS: Early addition of metformin improved glycemic control in patients with suboptimal glycemic control while taking maximum sulfonylurea therapy, irrespective of obesity or baseline FPG concentrations.

Original publication

DOI

10.2337/diacare.21.1.87

Type

Journal article

Journal

Diabetes Care

Publication Date

01/1998

Volume

21

Pages

87 - 92

Keywords

Blood Glucose, Blood Pressure, Chlorpropamide, Cholesterol, Clinical Protocols, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Drug Therapy, Combination, Female, Glyburide, Glycated Hemoglobin A, Humans, Hypoglycemic Agents, Insulin, Male, Metformin, Middle Aged, Patient Compliance, Sulfonylurea Compounds, Triglycerides, United Kingdom